Split-ring draft gear



April 12 1927. v

. B. W. KADEL SPLIT RING- DRAFT GEAR .Filed March 28. 1924' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VU A gwwntoz April 12 B. W. KADEL SPLIT RING DRAFT GE'AR Filed March 28. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 12', 1927.

j [UNITED STATES.

BYERS w. KADEL, or BALTIMORE, MAnYLAnnjnssIenoR Torin: symmeron com- PANY, or NEW YORK, n. Y., A. CORPORATION or MARYLAND.

' mechanism adapted primarily for use, with SPIi'IT-RING DRAFT GEAR.

PATENT OFFICE.-

Application filed March 28, 1924. Serial No. 702,638.

The invention relates to shock absorbing railway draft rigging.

One of the principal objects of the invention, generally stated, is to provide a cushioning unit of comparatively high shock absorbing capacity in which the friction elements are arranged to advantageously develop both spring and frictional resistance to the shocks or. loads imparted to the unit. Particularly stated, the present invention involves the production of a compact shock absorbing unit comprising a plurality of radially coacting yieldable friction members of band or ring-like formation, each of said members comprisin complementary split ring sections or ban s shaped to permit sub-- stantially' 'uniform radial expansion and contraction in resisting the forces applied to the members. j

Another object of the invention is to pro-' vide a shock absorbing mechanismcomposed of a plurality of inner and outer ooacting yieldable friction members, each of said members comprising a plurality of complementary sections which in their complementing relation provide ring or band-like elements, each of said ring sections being split and the cross-sectional area of the metal lying between the ends of the section being gradually increased in size to maximum thickness intermediate said ends whereby each ring section is capable of 'being substantially uniformly deflected.

The invention has for a further object the production of ring friction members from a strip of suitable spring metal having a plurality of friction faces formed thereon, said strip of metal being cut'in'such a manner as toprovide a plurality of triangular shaped unwound ring sections, as

will hereinafter appear, a plurality of these sections, when bent'to ring -or. band shape, forming a highly responsive radially yieldable friction member capable of developing an exceedingly high spring and frictional resistance over a long period of usage.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cushioning mechanism involving radially yieldable rings or bands of spring-metal, eachconsisting of two or more a complementary split ring sections, the crossscctional area of the metal at the split ends being relatively reduced and. gradually increasing therefrom to its maximum sizeat a point substantially opposite to the split inthering section, the said ring sections being preferablyassembled with the split in one section circumferentially spaced with respect to the split in an adjacent complementary .section.

The invention further conslsts in providing a shock absorbing mechanism for rail way draft rigging involving a plurality of yieldable cushioning elements arranged in parallel, at least one of said cushioning elements being designed to resist the initial force or loads imposed upon the draft rigging and the other of said springs being adapted to go solid after the preliminary compression of the mechanism, whereby the succeeding compressive forces are trans- :mitted through said solid member to a series of radially yieldable friction elements each being composed of complementary split members, the cross-sectional area of which is correspondingly varied in the adjacent members to obtain a'substantially uniform radial deflection of said members for producing maximum spring and frictional resistance.

In the drawings illustrating the invention, the scope whereof is pointed out in the claims: 7 p v Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway draft rigging of the single key type showing the mechanism applied thereto.

.Figure 2 is a detail longitudinal sectional I ing the complementary ring or band-like 'sections comprising one of the yieldable friction elements, said sections being'shown in separated relation.

Figure 4' 's a View in side elevation of the two complementary ring sections shown in separated position.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the comimproved construction of shock absorbing plementary ring sections shown in assembled position to form one of the yieldable friction elements.

' Figure 6 is' a view of astrip of metal illustrating in dot and dash lines thereon the triangular formation of the complementary ring sections as cut from the strip.

Figure 7 is a on the line 7*? of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail side elevation of-one of the triangular shaped ring-like sections 'shown in developed or unwound position.

Figure 9 is a side view showing a vertical arrangement of the yieldable friction elements disposed for use without the surrounding casing.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, there is shown a railway draft rigging comprising the usual car sills providing the draft rigging pocket in which latter is mounted .a yoke member 1 having connected thereto the coupler 2, by means of the key .3. Front stop members 4 are connected to the center sills, a follower 5 being provided for coaction therewith, and a rear stop member 6 is provided with which the rear end of the yoke cooperates. Cushioning mechanism may be maintained in the draft rigging pocket in any suitable manner, plate members 7 and 8 being provided to support and guide the several parts, as shown in Figure 1. While I have shown the shock absorbing mechanism associated with a single key draft rigging, it willbe understood that the invention may be used Withvarious other draft rigging construction and I do not wish to limit myself only to the disclosure herein.

The shock absorbing mechanism involves a plurality of spring devices and a series of friction elements also capable of yieldably resisting the loads imparted to the mechanism, said spring-devices and friction elements being suitably arranged between the front follower and the rear of the yoke for advantageously absorbing the shocks im: parted to the draft rigging. rangement shown in Figure 1, the yieldable friction elements are arranged within suitable supporting members shown' herein as casings 9 and 10. The forward'end of the casing 9 serves as a follower against which bear springs of varying capacity, the outermost spring 11 being wound to a comparatively high pitch for resisting the initial loads imparted to the gear and the innermost spring 12 being wound to a comparatively low pitch and'of such cross sectional area whereby upon application of the initial loads to a predetermined extent, said spring is caused to go solid and provide a solid member or column for imparting the succeeding loads through the end of the casing to the yieldable friction elements. The inner spring 12 may be guided by the projecting stud 13 formed on the follower wall of the casing 9. In the present embodiment the outer spring 11 has its coil preferably mally high stress when fullydetail cross-sectional view In the ar-,

wound to a pitch representing an abnorcompressed, while the coils of the inner spring 12 are wound to an abnormally low pitch, the latter of said springs being designed for repeated closure over an exceedingly long period of usage without permanent injury and also acting to limit the travel of the outer spring 11 and protect it from overstressing.

The yieldable friction elements are formed in the nature of ring or band-like members, said members being disposed for frictional operation one with another and also formed of complementary sections'designed so as to permit the relative yielding radial directions. The innermost friction members are indicated by the numeral 14 and the outermost friction members by the numeral 15, said respective inner and outer members having inclined eoacting friction faces arranged at suitable angles whereby the forces imparted through the casings cause the innermost members to move radially inwardly and-the outermost of said members to move radially outwardly. The outward movement of the members 15 cause them to frictionally engage the inner walls of the casings in the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2. The respective end fric-' tion members are each adapted to be en.- gaged by the inclined friction faces 16 and 17 provided on the respective casings 9 and 10, and it is through these portions that the relative v loads of draft and buffing are 1igransmitted to the yieldable friction memers.

Each friction element or member is composed of a plurality of split ring or band sections 18, said sections being shaped and positioned so as to complement each other in the formation of the friction member. The ring sections 18 are formed of suitable spring metal, the cross-sectional area of said sections being varied to permit of substantially uniform deflection in radial directions as distinguished from the mere spreading or bending of a uniform cross-section split ring in which the deflection stresses are concentrated in a comparatively small area opposite the split. In the present arrangement there is shown two complementary ring or band sections each of which is split and the cross-sectional area of which is varied so as to produce the shape and arrangement of friction member having .the

of the members in substantially uniform ring-shape, as shown in Figure 3, the greatest cross-sectional area of the metal lying at a point opposite to the split. a The cross-sectional area, of the metal is relatively reduced at the split ends and is disposed so as to gradually increase to its greatest size at a; point intermediate the split ends.

As will be observed, advantageously coactingifriction faces between adjacent complementary ring sections are provided as the result of the circumferential split or separationof the sections comprising the ring member, the relative disposition of the metal in said sections permitting 'pf their sub-- stantially uniform radial deformation'o'r deflection with corresponding uniform stress areas distributed throughout the entire section. The 'ring or band-like sections are disposed with the split in one section circumferentially spaced, with respect to the split in an adjacent ring section. In the present construction the splits are diametrically disposed although it will be understoodthatlwherea greater number of ring or band-likesections 18.are employed the splits will be variously located. The present arrangement of but two band, sections shaped and positioned to form one yieldable friction element is believed sufficient to effeet the desired uniform radial expansion and contraction of the respective inner and outer. ring members but I do not limit the invention to this arrangement only a as a,

greater number n of ring or band sections maybe provided and the relative cross-sectional areas thereof correspondingly varied so as to more uniformly distribute the stresses in the middle for producing a maximum spring resistance while simultaneously effecting the most advantageous frictional resistance.

Cooperating with the ing mechanism. This spring is disposed in longitudinal alinement with the springs 11 .andv12 of the draft rigging and comprises one of the spring devices of the gear hereinbefore referred to.

In operation it will be observed that pressure a plied to the gear and initially resisted y the spring 11 causes, after a predetermined movement, the spring 12 to go solid and through the casing 9 impart to thespring and friction elements therein the succeedingfioads being received by thedraft ovement of the casing 9 towardthe casing 10, which latter 'is effectively held against movement on'bufi by meansof the. back stop .6, causes the coacting inclinedfaces of the several members to move the" innermost ring member 14 radially inwardly rigging.

radially yieldable, friction'members is the coil spring 20, said sprin being interposed between-the casings d10'and operating to restore the friction-elements to normal position upon re-" lease of the loads imparted to the cushion-- sectional area of the metal therein be and the outermost friction members radially outwardly, said outward movement, however, being effectively resisted by the surrounding walls of the casings. This relative expansion and contraction of the associated yieldable. friction elements is graduall increased as the casing 9 moves rearwar y, thereby increasing both the spring and frictional resistance of the gear to a point where the casings contact and the ,respective adjacent portions of. the outer ring members and corresponding portions of the innerring members are brought into engagement, thus permitting the exceedingly excessive loads of the draft rigging to be solidlyresisted through the transmission of the forces direct to the center sills and underframe of the car. It will be noted that the respective inner end walls of the casings 9 and 10 are provided with annular shoulderportions 21 adapted to firmly engage adjacent portions of the outermost ring, members 15 upon full closure of the gear. The casings are preferably interconnected by means of the tongue and-slot construction shown in Figure 1, said casings when engaged providin the full cross-sec- .tional area of "metalsufli cient to receive andimpart the excessive loads, said casings also being sufficiently strong to resist the expensive forces imparted thereto incident to closure of the gear.

I claim:

1. A shock absorbing mechanism'for railway draft rigging; involvin a casing, a plurality of radially yieldable ring members ..'mounted in said casing each of said members being formed of s casings, and a series of friction members cooperating therewith and comprising a plurality of complementary gradually yieldlng split rings of spring-metal arranged so as'to simultaneously develop frictional resistance upon the deflection of said rings when exerting their spring resistance. I

3.. A shock absorbing, mechanism involving a series of ring-like friction members of spring metal radlally disposed with relation to-each other for develqging springand frictional resistance througii the expansion of the outermost radially disposed ring members and the contraction ofthe innerlifost of said radially disposed ringmembers, each of said friction members comprising a plurality of split ring sections, thevcross disposed to permit substantially uniform radial deflectlon.

4:. A shock absorbing mechanism comprising a plurality of yieldable friction members composed of split complementary sections of metal, and another series of yieldable friction members peripherally disposed with re lation to said first named series for frictional contact therewith, said second named yieldable friction members being formed of spring-metal and comprising a plurality of w split complementary sections.

' ti t 5. A shock absorbing mechanism involving inner yieldable ring members composed of a plurality of complementary sections, said sections having friction faces, and outer yieldable ring members each formed of a plurality of complementary sections having friction faces coacting with the friction faces of the first mentioned complementary ring sections, the cross-sectional area of metal in said several ring sections being of varying size to permit substantially uniform radial deflection for simultaneously developing and frictional resistance.

shock absorbing mechanism involving radially yieldable inner and outer coacting friction members, each of said members comprising split complementary ring sections, each of said sections beng of relatively reduced thickness at the split ends and of increased thickness opposite said split ends, said sections being arranged with the split portions disposed substantially opposite each other.

7. A shock absorbing mechanism involving radially yieldable inner and outer coacting friction members, each of said members being formed of a plurality of triangular shaped band-like sections shaped to form split rings completing eachother and arranged so as to permit substantially uniform radial expansion of the outer members and similar contraction of the innermembers split in an adjacent ring section, -said ring sections of the inner members being disposed so as to develop substantially radial uniform spring and frictional resistance through their contraction while the ring sections of the outer members are adapted to expand substantially radially and uniformly for developing spring and frictional resistance.

9. A shock absorbing mechanism involving cooperating radially yieldable inner and outer friction members, each of said members comprising spring m'etal split ring secneaa'ma tions of substantially triangular shape when unwound, said spring sections being designed to permit substantially uniform radial contraction of the inner membersand similar expansion of the outer members.

10. A yieldable friction ring member com-- posed of a plurality of ring sections, each of said sections complementing an adjacent section to form a symmetrical combined section and having the metal therein disposed to permit substantially uniform radial -movement of the ring sections When devel oping spring and frictional resistance.

l1. A shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging involving a plurality of casings, a spring interposed between said, casings, and a plurality of coacting radially.

frictionally engage adjacent portions of said casings.

12. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with center sills, of a yoke member, a coupler connected to said yoke member, and a cushioning mechanism, said cushioning mechanism including a, plurality of radially yielding friction members formed of a plurality of complementary split sections, means for supporting said members, said means operating to resist some of the force imparted to said members, means for applying pressure to move some of said members radially inwardly and other of said members radially outwardly, and a spring for restoring said members to normal position.

13. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with center sills, of a yoke member, a coupler connected to said yoke member, and a cushioning mechanism, said cushioning mechanism including a plurality of radially yielding friction members formed of a plurality of complementar split ring sections, a plurality of casings or supporting the members, said casings being normally separated but capable of engagement for transferring the loads to the 8111s when the cushioning mechanism goes solid, means for applying pressure to move some of said members radlall inwardly and other of said members ra ially outwardly for simultaneously developing spring and frictional resistance, said means including a spring formed of material wound to relatively low pitch and having a cross-sectional area adapted to provide a solid column between at least one of said casings and a movable element of the draft rigging, another spring 1 for receiving the main portion of the initial loads, and still another spring for restoring said friction membersto normal position.

14. In a railway draft rigging, the com bination-with center sills, of a yoke member positioned between said sills and having connected thereto a con ler,'a follower member, associated with said yoke, stop members coacting with said yoke and follower, and a cushioning mechanism associated with said yoke and follower, and comprising a spring, a series of radially yieldable friction elements each consi sting of a plurality of coni-, plementary band-like sections formed and positioned to complement each other to permit of their substantially radial uniform de flection, and means, for applying pressure to said friction elements after an initial movement of said spring.

15. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with center sills, ofa yoke member positioned between said sills and having connected, thereto a coupler, a follower member associated with said yoke, stop members cooperating with the yoke and follower, and a cushionin mechanism associated with said yoke and ollower, and comprising a plurality of springs, a, series of coacting radiall -yieldable friction elements each consisting of a plurality of complementary band-like split sections cut of a shape and positioned to complement each other for permitting substantially uniform radial dcflection, means for applying more pressure to said friction elements after an initial movement of said springs, said means involving one of said springs adapted to gov SOhd for transmitting the forces of the'friction elements and at the same time limit the compression of the other spring, and means for restoring said friction-elements to normal position u on release of the pressure.

16. In a ra' way draft riggin the com- 'bination with center sills, of a yo e member positioned between said sills and ving connected thereto a coupler, a follower member associated with .said yoke, stop members cooperating with the yoke and follower,

and a cushioning mechanism associated with sa1d yoke and follower, and comprlslng a plurality of coil springs, oneof which is wound to an abnormally .low pitch and the other of which is adapted to receive the main portion of the initial loads imparted to the draft rigging, a series of eoacting radially yieldable friction elements, each consisting of a plurality of band-like split sections cut and shaped tocomplement each.

other for permitting substantially uniform radial deflection, said spring of low pitch being adapted't'o go solid after initial compression of the other spring and transmit the forces directly to the radially yieldable V friction elements, and means including a spring for restoring said friction elements to normal 'position upon release of the load imposed upon thecushioning mechanism. 17. A shock absorbing mechanism involving symmetrical radially yieldable rings of spring metal, each of said rings comprising split complementary bandsyt e thichess of each band being greater at its center than adjacent its ends. I a I 18. A shock absorbing mechanism involv-' ing a plurality of radially yieldable rings' of spring metal, eachof said rings comprising apairpf complemental bands of nonumform cross-section, sald c'omplemental 7 bands being adaptedto be assembled to form a'ri'ng substantially uniform in cross-section.

19. A shock absorbing mechanism mvolvinga' plurality of radially yieldable rings,

each of said rings being formed of noncontinuous circular elements substantially triangular in cross-section, airs of adjacent elements com lementing eac other, whereby the combine stantially uniform.

In testimony whereof l afix my signa I ture. I

cross section ofapair is,sub-' 

